The Devils are rooting for the Flyers to pass them today – then the chances of a storybook sixth Atlantic Division title in nine seasons would turn from remote to real.

Seeking the NHL’s longest winning streak of 10 games when they play host to the Flyers tomorrow afternoon, the Devils stand, on victories, in second place in the Atlantic when the game-in-hand Flyers play host to the Rangers this afternoon.

The Devils can win the title and first-round home-ice by earning as few as three of the final four points available. Or they could win both their remaining games and finish third in the division, sixth in the East. Or they could go pointless in their last two and still wind up sixth, having already guaranteed a seed above the Canadiens by clinching the season series before Tuesday’s finale visit to Montreal.

A sixth-place finish, third in the Atlantic, would leave the Devils opening the playoffs on the road against the Rangers or Flyers next weekend.

Even ushers at the Meadowlands are hoping to face the Rangers in the first round, the consolation if they don’t take the title or finish above the Flyers.

“I’m sick and tired of hearing how we’ve never beaten the [Rangers] in the playoffs,” one usher groused.

Martin Brodeur said, “It would be an awesome series. The two teams match up real well, and for the fans and interest in hockey it would be tremendous.”

The combinations are complex, the ramifications vital. The Rangers can finish with a maximum of 104 points and 46 victories, the Flyers 103 and 46, the Devils 101 and 46.

The Rangers, with 100 points and 44 victories, would clinch the Atlantic by beating the Flyers in regulation today. A Flyers regulation victory would pull Philly within one point of the top with two games left, pulling the maximum ceiling within the Devils’ reach.

A Rangers victory today ends the Devils’ title hopes, but it improves their chances to wind up second in the Atlantic and fifth in the conference, opening the playoffs in Buffalo.

If the Rangers lose outright today and against Ottawa on Tuesday, the Devils could top them with three points to match their 100 and prevail with an extra victory – unless Philly also beats the Isles on Tuesday to reach 101 points.

That Flyers-Islanders game is the joker, the lone remaining game among the three contenders against an already-eliminated squad.

The other wild card is the charity point still donated to teams that lose either in a shootout or in overtime. It taints the races and the standings.

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There have been five nine-game winning streaks this season, two each by the Devils and Hurricanes, another by the Red Wings. . . . The Devils are seeking their eighth 100-point season in nine years, missing in 2001-02.